Issue 61, Volume 78

Thursday, January 17, 2013 // Issue 61, Volume 78

THE DAILY COUGAR

T H E

O F F I C I A L

S T U D E N T

N E W S PA P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

H O U S T O N

Think: What would my mother tell me to do? s Get vaccinated. It takes 2 weeks to build up immunity. s Eat healthy, get plenty of rest, drink fluids and contain your coughs and sneezes.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or use your elbow. s Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose and wash your hands often. When washing hands, wash with warm water and soap for the duration of singing “Happy Birthday” one time. This will give adequate time to kill most germs. s Clean and disinfect objects touched often such as cell phones, iPads, computer key boards, desk tops and door knobs, etc. with an alcohol wipe. The flu can live on surfaces up to two days; hence, the importance of keeping your hands clean. s Too late? Stay home if you have a temperature and flu symptoms as not to infect others. Remain fever-free for 24 hours before rejoining civilization.

All advice from: Jennifer Nguyen , R.N., Chief Nurse of the UH Health Center Graphic By Andres Garcia

1 9 3 4

OPINION

HEALTH

HOW TO STAY FLU-FREE

S I N C E

Under the influenza UH experts advise getting the vaccine Natalie Harms News editor

With the nation facing the worst influenza epidemic in years, physicians are urging people to get the flu shot to protect themselves and others.

“The flu vaccine is available here in the (University) Health Center and the charge is $25,” said Floyd Robinson, assistant vice president for Student Affairs/ Health and Wellness. “It is not too late to be vaccinated.”

“It’s important to remember that it takes at least two weeks to build up immunity to the flu after receiving the vaccine.”

According to Robinson, there is no excuse not to get the vaccination.

“The vaccine is an inactive virus, so there is no chance of contracting the flu from the vaccine,” Robinson said.

UH has not confirmed any cases of the flu, but the Health Center

has treated multiple patients for upper-respiratory infection.

“We utilize the influenza rapid test for confirmation, as issued by the city health department,” Robinson said.

Health Center chief nurse Jennifer Nguyen has simple advice for students worried about the flu.

“We follow all the good suggestions given to us by our mothers,” Nguyen said. “Eat healthy, get plenty of rest, drink fluids and contain your coughs and sneezes.”

More important, Nguyen cautions, is regular hand washing.

“When washing hands, wash with warm water and soap for the duration of singing ‘Happy Birthday’ one time. This will give adequate time to kill most germs,” Nguyen said.

Hand washing is important to business junior Joshua Perez, yet he still fell ill. He suggests additional measures for keeping

Banking on broken dreams LIFE+ARTS

Welcome home, Cougars SPORTS

FLU continues on page 3

Levine steadies coaching staff GET SOME DAILY

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ONLINE XTRA Women’s basketball takes on Marshall.

NEXT WEEK Planning and Outreach senior member acts as interim UHD provost.

COUNTDOWN

The cat is back for more The festival welcomed students for another semester Wednesday and featured student organization booths, free tacos from Taco Cabana and activities from the Houston Rockets and Amazon.com. More photos on page eight.

— Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

5

Days until the last day to add a class.

Sit back, relax and wait until class REALLY starts...

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Today Wellness Event: From 4 to 6 p.m. in Melcher Gym room 100, the UH Charter School is offering a free health and lifestyle educational event. There will be activities from yoga and martial art demonstrations to healthy dieting options.

Seminar: From 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in room 230 in the Health and Biomedical Sciences Building, professor Larry Benowitz speaks about his research in nerve regeneration in mice in connection with optic development.

Spring Specials!

Friday Track and Field: At noon at the Yeoman Field House, students are welcomed in free with their ID for the Leonard Hilton Invitational at John E. Hoffman Courts.

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Honors College: From 5 p.m. to midnight in the Honors College Commons, students will satisfy their literary craves with an all-night reading of a to-bedetermined book.

Coog Radio: Online at coogradio. com, listen to indie and pop music from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m., electronic, mainstream mixes.

Monday Martin Luther King Day: No classes. Enjoy a three-day weekend.

ABOUT THE COUGAR The Daily Cougar is published Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and Wednesdays during the summer and online at thedailycougar. com. The Daily Cougar is supported in part

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UH Health Center building, #525, Entrance 6 Fees: Deeply discounted fees are available for all visits.

Basketball: At 5 p.m. in the Hofheinz Pavilion, the Cougars hope to keep up their successful season. Students get in free with their ID.

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The Daily Cougar

NEWS EDITOR

Natalie Harms

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POLITICAL SCIENCE

Cougars conquer state capitol Chrystal Grant Staff writer

Eight students will work on policy analysis and research, write briefs and attend meetings with constituents and lobbyist in Austin through the University’s inaugural Hobby Fellows legislative internship program.

The program was designed to allow undergraduate students the opportunity to work alongside legislators during the legislative session, which is held within 140 days in oddnumbered years, said Renée Cross, associate director of Hobby Center for Public Policy.

“The goal for the Hobby Fellows is to allow the students the chance to gain a better sense of the governmental process and public service. There is so much about government that cannot be taught in the classroom,” Cross said.

She is the director of the program — overseeing the program fundraising, recruitment and selection of the interns, and she assigns them to the individual legislative offices. As the instructor of record, she develops the curriculum and provides guidance with all academic assignments, Cross said.

Political science and history senior Krystafer Redden was chosen to work alongside state Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-148).

“The program is named for longtime public servant and former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby. Both he and his family have a long and storied history of philanthropy and service to the greater good of our nation, of Texas and of Houston,” Redden said.

“I joined the program to gain experience in the legislative and public policy process. Having previously served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and worked at a non-profit in Washington, D.C., I felt this would complement my educational background while offering further education in good governance and immersion in the policy-making process.”

The Hobby Fellows program launched as the 83rd Texas legislative session began, giving UH students the opportunity to receive the full experience of how politics and the

legislative system works.

“I would like to find a way to bridge theory and practice, and by doing so, enact sound policy. But regardless, the experience of working in a fast-paced legislative environment offers a myriad of benefits beyond simple utility,” Redden said.

Students went through a series of steps before being selected and assigned to representatives.

“Initially, I applied to the program through a paper application that included a supplemental writing sample and multiple letters of recommendation. After review, I was

experience in politics, she said.

“I had previously interned for the late Sen. Mario Gallegos and decided that I wanted to know more about how the process works. Gallegos helped out many people, specifically Hispanics, and that was also a reason why I joined: I want to help out people in general as well,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez wants to attend law school and pursue a career in environmental law. She is assisting state Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna this semester.

“I’m excited to be assigned to Her-

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

The eight interns gathered for orientation on campus before they hit the political pavement in Austin. | HCPP invited to interview with professor Renée Cross and program manager Isaiah Warner, both of HCPP. Finally, I was invited to a boardroom-style panel interview with faculty, staff and community leaders. I was notified of my selection shortly thereafter,” Redden said.

Acceptance into the program is based on merit: a combination of grades, experience and writing ability. Additionally, candidates must have a demonstrated record of public service, either in other government internships, with community groups or on neighborhood projects, Cross said. Students can earn up to 12 hours of credit in political science.

The internship is five months, beginning on Jan. 3 and ending May 27.

Environmental science and political science senior Estefani Jimenez joined the program to gain real world

nandez’s office,” Jimenez said. She’s an alum and went to the same high school as I did.”

HCPP has a history of creating public service professionals. Harris County District Court Judge Al Bennett and state Rep. Armando Walle were introduced to the public realm when working as government interns at UH. Key staff leaders at all levels of government in Houston, Austin and Washington, D.C. have emerged from the HCPP programs. Cross believes the Hobby Fellows program will help to develop the skills need to be a leader in the world of politics.

“In Texas, the name Hobby is synonymous with public service,” Cross said. “We hope to add just a little to the long-term legacy of the Hobby family through the achievements of the exceptional students at UH.”

MEETING WHEN 4 P.M. THURSDAY, JAN. 17 WHERE ROOM 306, M.D. ANDERSON LIBRARY WHAT UPDATES AND DISCUSSION ABOUT STUDENT PUBLICATIONS BUSINESS The SPC meets monthly during the school year to hear updates from the department’s units, to give a forum for public comment and to elect the editor in chief of The Daily Cougar. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/sp/committee If you require disability accommodations to attend the meeting, please call (713) 743-5350 to make arrangements.

news@thedailycougar.com

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FLU

continued from page 1

healthy.

“Just cover up and take AlkaSeltzer,” Perez said. “I would take

that before class to keep healthy.”

According to Perez, you should avoid friends and family if you contract the flu.

“I just didn’t see my friends for a week,” Perez said.

While Perez knows he should

get the vaccine, he probably will not.

“It’s not a thing that I wake up and think ‘Hey, I should get a flu shot.’” news@thedailycougar.com

The Daily Cougar

4 \\ Thursday, January 17, 2013

OPINION EDITOR

Aaron Manuel

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CAREERS

Banking on broken dreams Bryan Washington Staff columnist

A

mong those devastated by the Great Recession, students have had to pay a heavy price, as evidenced by the growing number of unemployed graduates. According to an April 22 report in The Huffington Post, nearly half of 2012’s undergraduates faced joblessness after getting their diplomas.

Many undergraduates who did find paychecks were underemployed, grinding coffee beans or bagging groceries.

If last year proved anything, it’s that former students are drowning in the job pool, trading prospects of furnished apartments for childhood bedrooms.

To many graduates, it’s a future darker than unemployment itself. It’s a future they would do

Despite the Great Recession, students still seek finance for job security. The Bauer School of Business encourages students to take advantage of all entrepreneurship and career opportunities, and offers several places for students to relax, study or catch up on current events. | Joshua Mann/The Daily Cougar

just about anything to avoid.

In that light, banking doesn’t look like such a bad idea. Every year, at university job fairs across the country, big-money corporations play a heavy hand in enticing qualified students.

Harvard economist Richard Freeman conceded that virtually any employment, even if undesirable, is better than no job at all.

“If you’re not sure what you’re going to be doing, it probably bodes well to take some job, if

you can get one, and get a sense first of what you want from college,” Freeman said.

Texas performs favorably in landing graduates into feasible positions nationwide. Among the more active employers are fiscal agencies, the money movers. What they have — and will continue to offer — are the headstones of upward mobility: job security, vacation time and benefits.

The need for a broadcaster or a bricklayer may ebb and flow, but capitalists will always need handlers for their currency.

Entry-level financing jobs aren’t just attainable, they’re reliable in the face of a wavering job market. It’s easy money.

It’s also a compromise. The late Marina Keegan hit the nail on the head in her description of

disenchantment in a Nov. 9, 2011 article for The New York Times.

“Standing outside a freshman dorm, I couldn’t find a single student aspiring to be a banker — but at commencement this May, there’s a 50 percent chance I’ll be sitting next to one,” Keegan said.

It’s one thing for an individual to strive for something unattainable, but it’s another to settle on the first offer that comes along.

There’s no game show to determine which consultant intern is in love with their job; it’s a quiz that hasn’t been taken. Yet, in the face of a wavering economy, with any number of job applications in recycling bins across the country, it isn’t inconceivable for there to be more than one.

BANKING continues on page 5

Letter to the Editor: Unions, workers paved the way to middle class Sarah Backer’s commentary on and indictment of unions as having lost their way, only representing old folks and featherbedding and other assorted observations reveals an uninformed and sophomoric point of view and not the realities of our labor movement here in Houston and elsewhere.

Yes, unions plead guilty to some corporate charges that are obliquely referenced. We have raised wages for workers and brought about the greatest middle class that the world has ever seen (‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s). Savable wages, health benefits, pensions, job protections and national laws that protect all workers along with an unprecedented upward mobility for all workers as they organized and negotiated for better wages, hours and conditions of employment. Union

workers only asked for what was their fair share in return for the labor that they provided. Only recently with the decline in union membership, largely through corporate outsourcing, that the above economic benefits have also declined. This is no coincidence.

Workers from all backgrounds have benefited.

Men, women, African Americans, Latinos and Asians all have better pay and benefits than their non-union counterparts. Unions are part of the so-called laws of economics — a counterbalance against unabashed corporate greed and exploitation. Unions and all workers have been struggling against the onslaught of corporate globalization. The so-called “free market” that is sought by this writer readily crushes (or burns as in the recent garment factory fire) workers in its quest for profits above people.

The very public University of Houston that this writer is attending and gaining benefit from is part of the “collective good” that benefits our students and our country’s future and is supported by unions and their members through taxation.

Going all the way back to the 1960s, unions’ history of racial discrimination is a real stretch.

One needs to look at the union leadership today and more importantly union members, and it is a far different world. I was a student at UH in the ‘60s. We can all have an interesting conversation about discrimination at UH if you would like to have it, but it would not be relevant to today’s student population or workplace. As for the corporate world, and who dominates that leadership, it is still largely pale and male.”

Richard Shaw, Class of 1969, secretary-treasurer of the Harris County AFL-CIO Council

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Daily Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or email address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

THE DAILY COUGAR EDITORIAL BOARD Joshua Mann Amanda Hilow ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Samantha Wong NEWS EDITOR Natalie Harms SPORTS EDITOR Christopher Shelton LIFE & ARTS EDITOR Paulina Rojas PHOTO EDITOR Rebekah Stearns OPINION EDITOR Aaron Manuel ASSISTANT EDITORS Channler Hill, Jessica Portillo EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Daily Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384.

Letters are subject to editing.

and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words.

Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Daily Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community.

Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed,

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

Thursday, January 17, 2013 // 5

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OPINION UNEMPLOYMENT

Looming jobless tragedy Bryan Washington Staff columnist

U

nemployment in the United States could be worse; from a global perspective, it could be a lot a worse. Our European neighbors would tell us that much, if they could. Between an underweight employment rate and an overworked welfare system, their part of the world has become host to a deepening social divide.

Joblessness in southern Europe broke 26 million for the first time in modern history, and with that many people struggling just to live day to day, unrest in inevitable. The eurozone may be setting the precedent for our economic collapse and social discord.

Among the litany of employment figures, the most troubling is the average number of Americans unemployed for at least 99 weeks.

For the past two years, the number of long-term unemployment hovered around 2 million.

As of December, that number has decreased, sitting at 1.5 million, the lowest in more than two years.

It’s an improvement, sure, but by no means excellent.

In spite of its immensity, that number that doesn’t tell the entire story. Among the nonbelievers is Heidi Shierholz, who claimed in The Huffington Post that the figure is less the result of an improving labor market rather than the disappearance of its most essential demographic: the participants.

“That decline is likely not due to an improving labor market because it just hasn’t improved much over the last two years,” Shierholz said.

Jesse Rothstein, an associate professor of public policy and economics at the University of California, Berkeley, places blame on the public and “how little anybody’s paying attention — not just to the 99ers, but also the 79ers in the past year.” In the eyes of someone who study the

numbers, the only reason our long-term unemployment sits at an even 2 million is the absence of people looking for jobs, most of whom have descended into unaccountability.

It’s one thing to be unemployed, but another to be in it for the long haul. True to the preface, members of the latter don’t bounce back easily.

The amount of time spent outside the job force only hampers the prospects of getting back. A jobless future — a cartoonish prospect in 2009 — has looked less like a joke as the decade goes on.

We’ve found ourselves in a reality where the question isn’t where your last job was or when you were most recently employed, but rather if you’re ever going to get another shot.

The increasingly consistent answer so far is a resounding no.

Bryan Washington is an English sophomore and can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

Jobless Greek citizens rioted for two months in 2011 against austerity measures to no avail. The greek police were out in force to keep the peace. As the economy stagnates, Greece’s problems could become our problems. | Wikimedia Commons

BANKING continued from page 4

There is no trickery here.

Incompatible employment isn’t a new issue, or even a perilous one.

It’s just that coming of age in an era where politicos approach the fiscal calendar with Easy Bake timers, the temporary routes offered harbor permanent implications. A temporary job

has become less of a qualifier.

A lot of these careers are being picked up by dedicated, over-qualified prospects, some of whom have wanted nothing more than to land in a desk while others have been cheated. You can’t help but wonder if there’s any justice in following them.

Bryan Washington is an English sophomore and can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com.

The Daily Cougar

6 \\ Thursday, January 17, 2013

SPORTS EDITOR

Christopher Shelton

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FOOTBALL

Coaching staff begins to takes form After hiring coordinators for offense and defense Levine’s coaching team is in place Christopher Shelton Sports editor

For head coach Tony Levine, one of the toughest parts of becoming a head coach for the first time was assembling a staff.

Unfortunately for Levine, he was forced to do it twice.

After former offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt resigned, defensive coordinator Jamie Bryant decided not to return and offensive line coach Lee Hayes joined Texas Tech’s staff, Levine was forced to replace all three positions. Additionally, former defensive line coach Carlton Hayes decided to part ways with the University.

Levine did his due diligence, said Mack Rhoades, vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics.

“For those that don’t know coach Levine, he’s pretty meticulous. He’s very thorough and talked to several people, whether it was for the offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator or offensive line coach,” Rhoades said. “He’s made several calls, both formal and informal.”

Rhoades also made calls, but Levine made the decisions. Levine hired Doug Meacham as offensive coordinator, David Gibbs as defensive coordinator and Glen Elarbee as offensive line coach.

Meacham spent the past seven seasons coaching receivers and tight ends at Oklahoma State, following a season as passing game coordinator

Head coach Tony Levine has seen several changes to his staff after a 5-7 year. He’s been meticulously working to replenish his coaching team, said vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades. | File photo/The Daily Cougar during 2008 and 2009. Rhoades said Meacham was personally and professionally a good fit.

“He’s a great team person — what I would call a great staff guy,” Rhoades

said. “He’s a terrific recruiter, very bright, a good leader and a really good listener. He’s certainly qualified with the Xs and Os.” The Cougars have committed to

running the Air Raid offense, and Meacham’s success at Oklahoma State put him on their radar. Oklahoma State runs a similar spread offense, with similar routes and route

combinations.

The Cougars hope to replicate the success the Cowboys enjoyed during Meacham’s tenure.

“Throughout the last eight seasons, Oklahoma State has continually set a benchmark for offenses across the nation,” Levine said. “The explosive, high-scoring product they placed on the field is synonymous with what the University of Houston has seen in the past and what we plan to replicate in the future.”

The Cougars prioritized experience in their search for a defensive coordinator, and Gibbs held that position at Minnesota and Auburn. At Minnesota, the defense he inherited was ranked last in the Big Ten in 1996.

By 1999, the Gophers were ranked eighth in the nation in pass efficiency defense and scoring defense. Gibbs also coached in the NFL for the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Gibbs has not decided which defensive system the Cougars will run next season. He will evaluate the squad and make his decision based on the available talent.

“There is a lot of young talent coming back on the defensive side of the ball that any coach would appreciate, so I’m grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to getting started,” Gibbs said.

Rhoades expects Gibbs and Meacham to be great recruiters for the program. Gibbs’ connection to the NFL will definitely be a selling point with recruits.

If they recruit and perform as proficiently as Levine and Rhoades expect, Levine won’t have to reassemble his staff a third time. sports@thedailycougar.com

VOLLEYBALL

Platt announces two signings, Ogletree’s departure Harrison Lee Staff writer

Though the UH women’s volleyball squad lost standout sophomore setter Caitlin Ogletree to the Cincinnati Bearcats during the winter break, it also gained two in her place.

He a d c o a c h Ka d d i e Pl a t t announced the arrival of incoming freshman setter Jazzmyn Tingelhoff of Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minn.

“We are excited to add Jazzmyn to the Houston family,” Platt said.

“She has high-level training and playing experience with Lakeville South HS and Mizuno Northern Lights Volleyball Club. Jazzmyn is smart setter and understands the complexity of running the offense and breaking down an opponent’s defense. She is a competitive, committed, hardworking and coachable player.”

A four-year letterman as a Lakeville Cougar, Tingelhoff

graduated a semester early to begin training with UH before the start of the fall season.

She holds the single-season and career-assist record and was named three times to the state allconference team. She is the granddaughter of former Minnesota Vikings center Mick Tingelhoff, a six-time selection to the NFL Pro Bowl.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to train Jazz during spring training,” Platt said.

“Having her learn our system early will help develop team chemistry and learn our team culture.”

In addition to Tingelhoff, UH signed Sarita Mikals of Colleyville Heritage High School.

Mikals, an outside hitter and two-year letterman, helped her team to a 46-2 record her senior season. She also led the team to a district championship, followed by a second-place finish in the regional tournament.

“Sarita is a six-rotation player

who is a creative scorer,” Platt said.

“She will be used on both pins, giving us some flexibility in our offense. We are excited about her commitment to the Houston family.”

The two signings balance the departure of Ogletree, who will reunite at Cincinnati with former UH coach Molly Alvey, who originally recruited her. sports@thedailycougar.com

Thursday, January 17, 2013 // 7

The Daily Cougar

SPORTS DRAFT

Sims spurns NFL, returns to UH for senior season Christopher Shelton Sports editor

we want around 25. In the Louisiana Tech game, he touched it around 33 times, and that’s fine too ... He’s a dynamic player,” Levine said. “He may rush for 3, and he may rush for 2, but at some point, he’s going to break one and make a guy miss and take it for 50.”

Levine said he was excited Sims would return for his senior season.

He said Sims will be a leader on the team and a big part of the offense next season.

“He is a valued member of our program, not just as a player but as a person,” Levine said. “Charles is a great role model and displays great character. ” sports@thedailycougar.com

MAGIC NUMBER Sims touches equals wins In games where senior running back Charles Sims received 25 touches, the amount Tony Levine wanted to see him get, UH was 3-1 this season.

Did you

tweet?

Rising senior running back Charles Sims rushed for more than 100 yards four times last season. | File photo/The Daily Cougar

When Charles Sims decided no to go pro, vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades was happy for two reasons: Sims would graduate with a health degree and continue to produce on the field.

“He’s a semester away from graduating. This ensures that he graduates and gives him another year to develop … He’s just a great young man,” Rhoades said.

Sims added a boost to next season’s offense when he decided to return to school. He had his draft stock evaluated, and after serious consideration, decided to return to UH. Sims led the Cougars with 851 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, placing third in Conference USA both in yards, with 94.6 yards per game, and points, with 9.3 per game.

At times, Sims was the Cougars’ best threat in the passing game, finishing fifth in yards and receptions on the team. He also had three

receiving touchdowns.

Sims had four 100-yard rushing games and one 100-yard receiving game this season.

“The NFL is my ultimate goal and will still be my goal when I finish at Houston. My family and I sat down and carefully evaluated all aspects of the decision and in the end, the opportunity for one more year at Houston was the decision we felt strongly about,” Sims said. “I enjoy being here and enjoy being around my teammates.”

After the Cougars’ 35-14 victory against Rice, head coach Tony Levine said getting rising senior Charles Sims involved was critical to the team’s success on offense.

Levine said he wanted to get Sims at least 25 touches in each contest.

Toward the tail end of the season, with the possibility of a bowl game, the Cougars weren’t able to get Sims involved due to injuries. In the Cougars’ final four games, Sims received five or fewer carries in each contest, and UH compiled a 1-3 record.

“To kind of pinpoint a number,

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he Cougars couldn’t hold their six-point halftime lead and lost to the Pirates 89-78. Danuel House led the Cougars in scoring with 22. —Rebekah Stearns/The Daily Cougar

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8\\ Thursday, January 17, 2013

LIFE && ARTS LIFE ARTS

EDITOR

Paulina Rojas

EMAIL

arts@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE

thedailycougar.com/life-arts

CAT’S BACK

Coogs recieve a warm welcome home From massages to free food and giftcards, students were given endless reasons to be proud a part of the pride

With back-to-school shopping and the inflating prices of textbooks, students stepped into the Amazon.com Inc. money booth for a chance to win giftcards, which come in handy for purchasing supplies. | Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

Between rounds of Giant Jenga, members of the student body got the opportunity to meet with Student Government Association President Cedric Bandoh and other members of SGA present at the event. | Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Cat’s Back took place in and around the University Center during one of the busiest times of the day. Pedestrian traffic slowed when students noticed the loud music, free Taco Cabana and professional chair massages to loosen up their tense muscles. Students did not hesitate to sit and relax before heading back to classes. | Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

The Shastas cuddled up for warmth in the cool January air and helped keep up the spirits of the young pride. | Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

Students got the chance to learn about dozens of organizations including fraternities and sororities, religious groups and hobby clubs. One organization at the fair was Cru, which aims to spread gospel and faith. | Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

Thursday, January 17, 2013 //9

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LIFE & ARTS

PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTH

Campus thinks fixes for fruity mixes Study reveals periods of large amounts of alcohol consumption have increased among collegeaged women Desiree Alvarez, Paulina Rojas Staff writer, life & arts editor

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study concluded that 24 percent of college-aged women binge drink.

According to the CDC, binge drinking for women is considered as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks in a single setting.

“Although four drinks is plenty enough for a person to feel buzzed, I personally would not consider that binge drinking,” said public relations senior Celeste Garza.

“Binge has the connotation to be more than excessive. I think a binge drinker should be classified as someone who drinks three drinks per hour. Four drinks a night, to me, is hardly binge

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drinking.”

To a college woman, that amount may come as a surprise, but to Woman Resource Center director Beverly McPhail, it is not.

“These are just the consequences of equality,” McPhail said.

“It’s partly good news, women should be able to party and enjoy themselves, like men do. It’s all about educating the consequences of the reality.”

From fraternity parties to socializing with friends at a bar, alcohol is part of any college students’ coming of age. For women this carries an increased level of concern because according to the study, binge drinking increases the risk of unintended pregnancies, rape and violence.

“Women do not metabolize alcohol as fast as men, so it leaves us more vulnerable,” McPhail said.

To help combat the risk for violence and to help educate students about alcohol, UH has launched “Intent and Motivation: Alcohol Group Exercise.” The program uses a cohortbased approach to increase prevention. The cohorts involved with the program include

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residential life and housing, athletic teams, sororities and fraternities.

The program has twice been awarded Model Program status by the U.S. Department of Education.

“Part of the program is to provide students and organizations accurate information about alcohol and drinking,” said Gail Gillan, director of the Wellness Center.

“Students almost always overestimate the amount of drinking their peers are doing, thus giving them permission to drink more.”

Instead of focusing on the number of drinks women have, IMAGE focuses more on the frequency of drinks.

“We do not actually focus on or use the term binge drinking ... Four drinks in a sitting, well what does that mean? We try to look, instead, at high risk drinking (large quantities during a short period of time). Instead of the number of drinks, what about the consumption frequency that is more likely to result in a negative consequence?” Gillan said. arts@thedailycougar.com

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10 \\ Thursday, January 17, 2013

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BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT COMPLEX Close to Campus! 3629 N. MacGregor Way and 5415 Scott. Apaartments starting at $495! Charming 1/1 and 2/1 apartment homes. One month free special! Very cute and charming complex includes good closet space, off-street parking, and on-site laundry with easy access to UH! $300 security deposit. Call 713-622-4805 to see your new home! Won’t last long! www. olympusnelson.com NICE & CLEAN - 1 bdr APT FOR RENT. Central A/C & HEAT. Hrdwd floors & ceiling fan. $450/month + deposit.

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Now hiring great personalities! Great money! Flexible hours. Part or full time positions available. No stupid name tags. No goofy uniforms! Cool people and lots of fun! Our servers and bartenders make $225 on an average day and $450+ on a good day. If you are cute and have a great attitude, you will make bank! Apply in person Mon.Fri. from 1:30-4 OR SAT. FROM 11:302 at 5720 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX. 77057. Email samsrichmond@ sbcglobal.net

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ACROSS 1 Customary dreads wearer 6 Compute, so to speak 11 Word with “flung” or “fetched” 14 Improvised 15 Country legend Haggard 16 Spud St. 17 Disappointing finish 19 Plunder 20 Form of “to be” 21 ___ and far between 22 Bombay title 23 They have loads of work to do 27 Paid another’s tab 29 Guinness specialty 30 Cauterize 32 Bygone peasant 33 Lush sound 34 Achy spots 36 Famed opera house La ___ 39 Woodwind lower than a piccolo 41 Common liquor

amount 43 Prophetic sign 44 Pen chorus 46 Capital of South Korea 48 Vacation stopover 49 Bang-up impression 51 “Titanic” heroine 52 Tell a tall tale 53 Performs incorrectly 56 Passage to the stomach and lungs 58 “Who ___ to judge?”

59 Actor’s agt.

60 Wear and tear 61 Be a henpecker 62 He, she and it, in grammar 68 “Eewww, gross!”

69 Spookily strange 70 Coin spent in India 71 Veterinarian’s visitor 72 Accomplishments or achievements 73 Part of a Pearl set

DOWN 1 WWII flying group 2 Bustling commotion 3 Mu ___ pork 4 Five books of Moses 5 Role player 6 A roadie lugs it 7 ___ Monte (canned food brand) 8 What some dodgers evaded 9 Stomach ailments 10 Young football players 11 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. residents 12 Absolutely love 13 More than fervent 18 Concerning this, to lawyers 23 “I’m so excited!”

24 Suspect’s need 25 Clairvoyance 26 Darjeeling dresses 28 With the bow 31 Direct to a specialist

35 Urban sitting place 37 Russian revolutionary with a goatee 38 Architect’s afterthought 40 ___ out (made, but barely) 42 “Keep quiet!”

45 Made a bull’s sound 47 Temporary “owners” 50 Giggle sounds 53 Put one’s big boy pants on 54 Appearance, as in a mirror 55 Church feature seen from a distance 57 “What’s Happening!!” role or the show, now 63 Expunge 64 ___ Moines 65 Where to get rubbed the right way?

66 Above, to Shakespeare 67 Part of an extended name

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Thursday, January 17, 2013 // 11

The Daily Cougar

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NEWS CONSTRUCTION

MetroRail work sidesteps to Scott Traffic inconveniences to last the UH community a few months Zachary Burton Staff writer

With a significant part of the construction cleared from Cullen Boulevard, MetroRail has shifted its work to the creation of a line that will further connect UH to downtown.

“MetroRail is working to complete construction of 15 miles of new light rails on three new lines: the East End, North and Southeast Lines. Construction work on the three lines has surpassed 60 percent completion,” said senior media relations specialist Margaret O’Brien Molina.

The line under construction at the University is the Southeast Purple Line. It begins downtown, travels southeast past campus and then to Texas Southern University,

RAIL For more information: Houston Metro specific: www.ridemetro.org Light rail specific: www.gometrorail.org Up-to-date UH-related: www.uhlightrail.blogspot.com

ending at the downtown YMCA. While Cullen Boulevard has temporarily cleared, the UH area is not finished with construction inconveniences.

“The work will continue east and west of Cullen to complete the guideway and track work,” Molina said.

Metro maintains an updated status on all railway construction on its website, including a start date, the area affected and how long it will last. Metro anticipates a 10-week traffic shift along Scott Street.

The installation of a track to the west of Cullen Boulevard and Scott Street will continue throughout the semester.

“Along the east side of Scott, utility work has started and is moving north from Wheeler to Elgin.

That work will be followed by track installation,” Molina said.

Metro construction on the Southeast Line began in January 2010 and is slated to offer passenger services in 2014.

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12 \\ Thursday, January 17, 2013

Learning Assessment Services

FREE TUTORING

Learning Support Services Room N109 Cougar Village (Building # 563) Schedule available at www.las.uh.edu Mon - Thurs 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

All Students Welcome

L SS WORKSHOPS SPRING 2013 Location: N112 Cougar Village (building 563) Length: 50 minutes. Please be on time. No admittance after 5 minutes past the hour.

Register: “Workshop Signup” at www.las.uh.edu/lss On-line registration is necessary to obtain a spot.

Problems Registering? Call Laura Heidel 713-743-5439 or Delphine Lee 713-743-5462

GET YOUR SPRING SEMESTER

OFF TO A GOOD START Lifestyle for an Effective Brain Tues. 1/15 at 11 a.m. & Thurs. 1/17 at 3 p.m.

Strategies for a Great Semester Wed. 1/23 at 2 p.m. & Thurs. 1/24 at 11 a.m.

Time Management Tues. 1/22 at 11 a.m. & Thurs. 1/24 at 2 p.m.

College Level Reading Tips Mon. 1/28 at 4 p.m. & Thurs. 1/31 at 11 a.m.

Note Taking Tues. 1/29 at 1 p.m. & Fri. 2/1 at 11 a.m.

Improve Your Concentration Mon. 2/4 at 3 p.m. & Wed. 2/6 at 5 p.m.

Time Management - Schedule Planning Tues. 2/5 at 3 p.m. & Fri. 2/8 at 10 a.m.

Studying For Natural Science Courses Mon. 2/11 at 3 p.m. & Thurs. 2/14 at 11 a.m.

JUMP START YOUR SEMESTER Tuesday Jump Start Series Tues. 11a.m. 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26 Rm. N112 Wednesday Jump Start Series Wed. 3p.m. 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13 Rm. N112 Thursday Jump Start Series Thurs. 4p.m. 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21 Rm. N112

GRADUATE STUDENT WORKSHOP SERIES Preparing for comprehensive/qualifying exams Thurs. 1/24 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Using APA writing style effectively Mon. 2/4 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Preparing a research article for publication Fri. 2/15 at 10 a.m. Rm N112

** Workshops will be added when necessary throughout the semester. Please visit the “Workshops Signup” link on the LSS website www.las.uh.edu/lss for the most up to date information.

TRANSFER STUDENT SUCCESS WORKSHOP January 16th, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon - OR - 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Room: 109N Cougar Village You are invited to get a good start for a successful semester. Topics Covered: Study Strategies, Meet the Tutors and Create a Study Schedule. Sign up by visiting: www.las.uh.edu/LSS click on Workshop Signup

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER WORKSHOPS

TEST PREPARATION

ENDING THE SEMESTER SUCCESSFULLY

Time Management Part I Tues. 1/29 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Time Management Part 2 Tues. 2/5 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Concentration Part 1 Tues. 2/12 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Concentration Part 2 Tues. 2/19 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Study Skills for your particular classes Tues. 2/26 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112 Organizing academic & home materials Tues. 3/5 at 4 p.m. Rm. N112

Learning Beyond Memory Tues. 2/12 at 9 a.m. & Fri. 2/15 at 11 a.m.

Improve Your Memory Tues. 2/19 at 3 p.m. & Fri. 2/22 at 4 p.m.

Test Anxiety Reduction Wed. 2/20 at 2 p.m. & Thurs. 2/21 at 3 p.m.

Test Preparation Mon. 2/25 at 2 p.m. & Thurs. 2/28 at 5 p.m.

Studying Math Wed. 2/27 at 2 p.m. & Thurs. 2/28 at 11 a.m.

Ending Semester Successfully Wed. 3/6 at 3 p.m. Thurs. 3/7 at 4 p.m.

www.las.uh.edu

Study Groups Tues. 3/5 at 5 p.m. Fri. 3/8 at 2 p.m.

Overcoming Procrastination Tues. 3/19 at 4 p.m. Fri. 3/22 at 2 p.m.

Making Connections on Campus Wed. 3/27 at 3 p.m. Fri. 3/29 at 11 a.m.

Giving Professional Presentations Tues. 4/2 at 11 a.m. Fri. 4/5 at 3 p.m.

Critical Thinking Tues. 4/9 at 3 p.m. Fri. 4/12 at 4 p.m.

Overcoming Procrastination Mon. 4/15 at 4 p.m. Thurs. 4/18 at 2 p.m.

Motivation Tues. 4/16 at 1 p.m. Fri. 4/19 at 3 p.m.

Coping with Finals Tues. 4/23 at 11 a.m. Wed. 4/24 at 3 p.m.